Tuesday, July 25, 2017

We had a fun couple of weeks. President and Sister Hill came over to hear Sister Linn Steffensen report home from her mission to temple square. We spent a day with them seeing this beautiful part of Norway. They are such dear friends. Then the party began. Our oldest Grandson Tyler Traveller (Kari) and three of his buddies, Boston Taylor, Farrell Dean and Dallin Price, came to visit us. They were super fun and high energy. It has been awhile since I have had that kind of energy. They really had a great time. They all got a taste of foreign missionary work. Everything was new and exciting, the food, the language, the people, the landscape, the money and much more. We couldn't keep them out of the chocolate. They made a really good video of their trip. You can find it on our Facebook pages. We sent a couple of Special missionaries home this week. Elder Larsen and Elder Stephens. We had 11 sisters and 13 Elders go home this transfer. They were wonderful. The 11 sisters were the ones we came out with from the MTC. Our son Josh started medical school at the University of Arizona. It will be a difficult and exciting adventure. They are settled and happy in Tucson. We had a great trip to Haugesund this last weekend. I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting on the Restoration. It is such a blessing to have the gospel on the earth. What a miracle that it happened they way that it did. We had a couple of sweet teaching opportunities this week with the missionaries. They continue to amaze me. We love each of you and hope that you are having a great and safe summer.

Elder and Sister Gormley

With President and Sister Hill near Byrkjedal, Norway

Tyler and crew at Preikestolen

Linn Steffensen (second from right). Just returned from a mission to temple square. Had a great time at a family night with them.

Tyler and Boston on the Bike at Vaulen

Boys had fun shopping with Gram.

Elder Richardson (4th from right) came back with his parents to visit Norway. This is the group that hiked Preikestolen.

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Our days are getting shorter now. At the longest it was getting dark after midnight and light before 4. We had a great visit from Josh, Jackie and Stratton. It is so fun to show our family the country that we have grown to love. The same day that Josh, Jackie and Stratton left we got on a plane for Stockholm. We were able to go to the temple with a Sister we help teach and one of our YSA's that is headed to Boston on a mission. We are so happy for them. We really enjoyed being in the temple again. We had over 80 people from our ward attend. These people are amazing. It is a 15 hour drive. They have a guest house there where everyone stays. We all shared food and socialized in the evenings. It was really enjoyable. On the 4th we went to our Bishop's for a BBQ with the missionaries and the Olsen family. She is from Washington state. Hal Mead, the Bishop is from Wyoming. He grew up in Wright and played basketball in Burlington. Small world. We also had a 4th district lunch with the Missionaries. Sister Gormley spoils them. One of our wonderful YSA sisters, Shelby Miller, left for school at USU. We will miss her. Lynn Steffensen returned from a mission at temple square last night. We are excited to work with her. Hope you all had a happy and safe 4th. Love Elder and Sister Gormley

Josh, Jackie and Stratton arriving in Stavanger. They were tired.

Josh, Jackie and Stratton with President and Sister Hill

Josh, Jackie riding our bikes at Vaulen. They loved the trails here.

Josh, Jackie and Stratton on top of Preikestolen after a long hike.

Josh, Jackie in our church in Haugesund

Josh, Jackie and Stratton in Haugesund

Josh,Stratton, Sister Gormley and I at Langfossen

Josh, Jackie, Stratton and Sister Gormley at Odda

Josh, Jackie and Stratton on the Flåm railroad

Josh, Jackie and Stratton with a troll. Jackie loved the trolls.

Josh, Jackie and Stratton overlooking rainy Bergen from Fløyan

Josh Stratton and I from the back of the ferry we took from Bergen to Stavanger, going under the Haugesund bridge.

Stratton and Josh playing volleyball with the YSA and missionaries at Vaulen

Josh, Jackie and Stratton at the Stavanger Harbor

Saying good bye. Josh starts medical school at the University of Arizona in Tucson today. We are excited for this new adventure for him and his family.

Monica Tindeland, from Haugesund, was baptised on July 1st. She is a young lady that came from the High School in Haugesund to do a report on the church. She took the lessons and was baptized. She is wonderful.